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The NCAA has imposed sanctions on Weber State after it found that a math instructor had improperly helped Wildcats football players.
The NCAA put Weber State on probation for three years, reduced scholarships for the football program and imposed at least $5,000 in fines for violating ethical conduct rules.
The NCAA says the math instructor completed coursework for five players, giving them hints about formulas and help with quizzes and test answers.
Weber State and its athletic department became aware of the situation early last year. After an initial investigation, the Wildcats self-reported the issue to the NCAA last fall.
Under first-year coach Jay Hill, Weber State is currently 2-9 overall and 2-5 in the Big Sky Conference. The team wraps up the season against Idaho State in Pocatello on Saturday.
The sanctions include probation through Nov. 18, 2017, a reduction of nine scholarships and a fine of $5,000 plus 2 percent of the football program operating budget. If the math instructor works for an NCAA-member school and has duties in the athletic department, the school must appear before an NCAA committee panel.
The teacher, who was not named, admitted that in spring 2013 the athletes gave her online access to their school accounts. Later, an adjunct professor noticed that one of the students had completed six quizzes and a final exam in less than an hour, which was unusual.
The students subsequently failed the class.
Weber State did not immediately respond to an email seeking comment.
